Google confirms intent to launch U.S. wireless service, WSJ says Speaking at an industry conference in Barcelona, Sundar Pichai, who oversees Google’s (GOOG) mobile operating system Android, said the search giant will launch a small scale U.S. wireless service with details to be unveiled in the months ahead, says the Wall Street Journal. Other companies in the space include Verizon (VZ), AT&T (T), Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (TMUS). Reference Link

Fidelity Contrafund cuts Google stake to 5.2% of net assets, Reuters reportsFidelity Contrafund, one of Google's largest investors, has cut its stake in the search giant to 5.2% of net assets at January 31 from 7.3% of net assets as of June 30, Reuters reports. Fidelity Investments portfolio manager Will Danoff explains that "The firm continued to do phenomenally innovative things, but it is fighting a shift away from desktop search to less-expensive searches on mobile phones." Reference Link

Google+ splits Photos and Streams, Horowitz to lead bothBradley Horowitz, a Google VP, confirmed in a Google+ post that "the rumors are true -- I’m excited to be running Google’s Photos and Streams products! It’s important to me that these changes are properly understood to be positive improvements to both our products and how they reach users." Reference Link

Google Ventures' European arm takes stake in Kobalt, FT reportsGoogle Ventures' European unit has led a $60M investment round in Kobalt, a music technology company that helps songwriters collect fees from outlets like YouTube and Spotify, The Financial Times reports. Reference Link

On The Fly: Closing WrapStocks on Wall Street moved in a narrow range for most of the session while remaining near record levels. The Nasdaq was the strongest of the indices, as it continues its march towards 5,000. Crude oil prices fell by over 5% during the regular trading session, but recovered a bit in after-hours trading. The market is on pace to complete its fourth consecutive week of gains and close out the month of February with gains after suffering losses in January. ECONOMIC EVENTS: In the U.S., the Consumer Price Index fell 0.7% in January, with the core rate rising 0.2%, versus expectations for the headline CPI to be down 0.6% and the core rate to rise 0.1%. Initial jobless claims rose 31K to 313K in the week ended February 21, versus expectations for 290K first-time claims. Durable goods orders rose 2.8% in January, versus expectations for a 1.6% increase. The FHFA home price index rose 0.8% to 218.6 in December, versus expectations for an increase of 0.5%. COMPANY NEWS: The Federal Communications Commission voted 3 to 2 in favor of adopting new open Internet, or "net neutrality," rules. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has proposed that the FCC use its Title II authority to implement and enforce "bright-line" rules to ban paid prioritization and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. However, Wheeler said his proposal will "modernize" Title II, insuring there will be no rate regulation, no tariffs, and no last-mile unbundling. Major Internet Service Providers, including Verizon (VZ), AT&T (T), and Comcast (CMCSA), have opposed the rules, while Netflix (NFLX) has been a strong and vocal supporter of open Internet provisions... Shares of International Business Machines (IBM) slipped $1.94, or 1.19%, to $160.87 after Big Blue held its investor day meeting in NYC. At the meeting, IBM backed its fiscal year profit view but also said that the company now expects currency to impact revenue growth by over 6 points for the full year, which is greater than the impact previously provided based on January 16 spot rates. IBM also said it was shifting $4B into "strategic initiatives," including Big Data, the Cloud, mobile, social and security... Barnes & Noble (BKS) rose $1.67, or 6.89%, to $25.92 after announcing plans to split its Education business from its Retail and NOOK Digital businesses. The separation into two independent, publicly traded companies is anticipated to be completed by the end of August and is intended to be a tax-free distribution to shareholders, B&N noted. MAJOR MOVERS: Among the notable gainers was Emulex (ELX), which jumped $1.57, or 24.69%, to $7.93 after the company agreed to be acquired by Avago Technologies (AVGO) for $606M, or $8 per share in cash. Avago also rose $16.57, or 14.71%, to $129.25 after announcing the deal and reporting "beat and raise" quarterly results. Also higher was UIL Holdings (UIL), which gained $9.74, or 23.01%, to $52.07 after the company agreed to be acquired by Iberdrola USA to create a newly listed U.S. publicly-traded company. The proposed transaction implies total value per share to UIL shareholders of $52.75, including $10.50 per share paid in the form of cash, the companies said. Among the noteworthy losers was Clayton Williams (CWEI), which fell $11.41, or 17.77%, to $52.79 after the company suspended drilling operations in both of its core resource plays, citing low oil prices, and its shares were downgraded at Wunderlich. Also lower following their earnings reports were network solutions provider Inteliquent (IQNT), which dropped $3.05, or 17.33%, to $14.55, and electric weapons maker TASER (TASR), which slid $4.36, or 16.14%, to $22.68. INDEXES: The Dow fell 10.15, or -0.06%, to 18,214.42, the Nasdaq gained 20.75, or 0.42%, to 4,987.89, and the S&P 500 declined 3.12, or 0.15%, to 2,110.74.

Google to place ads in Google Play, may break up Google+, Forbes saysGoogle's product czar, Sundar Pichai, said the company will begin showing ads for apps in Google Play, and may break Google+ into pieces, according to Forbes. The company also plans new initatives in payments, commerce and enterprise apps, and would welcome the chance to reenter the Chinese market, Forbes quoted the executive as saying. Reference Link

FCC votes in favor of adopting net neutrality proposals The Federal Communications Commission voted 3 to 2 in favor of adopting new open Internet, or "net neutrality," rules. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has proposed that the FCC use its Title II authority to implement and enforce open Internet protections, with "bright-line" rules to ban paid prioritization and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. However, Wheeler said his proposal will "modernize" Title II, insuring there will be no rate regulation, no tariffs, and no last-mile unbundling. Major Internet Service Providers, including AT&T (T), Comcast (CMCSA), and Verizon (VZ), have opposed FCC Chairman Wheeler's proposals to treat Internet service similar to a utility. Other companies that provide Internet services include Time Warner Cable (TWC), CenturyLink (CTL), DIRECTV (DTV), Cablevision (CVC) and Lumos Networks (LMOS). Netflix (NFLX) has strongly supported open Internet provisions. Cogent Communications (CCOI) and Level 3 Communications (LVLT) are facilities-based providers of Internet access and Internet Protocol communications services that are likely to be impacted by FCC rules on net neutrality.

Dish could consider partnering with Google in wireless, The Information saysAccording to The Information, Dish Network (DISH) is likely to play a large role in the telecommunications industry in the coming years, and could look to form a partnership with Google (GOOG), something the companies have previously discussed. Though Google did not bid in the most recent auction of wireless spectrum, sources say Google executive Milo Medin, considered a bid. Reference Link

Google unifies two separate European units, Financial Times reportsGoogle is unifying its two separate European arms following a more challenging and combative regulatory landscape, reports the Financial Times. Matt Britain, who had led the company's northern and western arm, will take over the running of the new business. Britain said the structure would allow the company to better respond to local conditions and opportunities. Reference Link

YouTube revenue growing but did not contribute to earnings, WSJ reportsGoogle's YouTube posted 2014 revenue of $4B although it did not contribute to earnings, reports the Wall Street Journal, according to two people familiar with its financials. One step that may hope to boost viewership include playing more videos automatically, a feature that is expected to roll out shortly. Reference Link

Google introduces Android for Work programThe company said on its Official Blog: "Over a billion people today carry Android smartphones -- devices that are more powerful than the computers we used just a few years ago. For many, these phones have become essential tools to help us complete important work tasks like checking email, editing documents, reviewing sales pipelines and approving deals. But for the majority of workers, smartphones and tablets are underutilized in the workplace. Their business and innovation potential remain largely untapped. We're announcing the Android for Work program to tap into that potential. With a group of partners, we're helping businesses bring more devices to work by securing, managing and innovating on the Android platform... Together with a wide range of management, application and device makers, we believe the Android for Work program provides businesses and workers with the choice and flexibility they need to get things done at work." Reference Link

Google considering making investment in Jawbone, Re/code reportsGoogle is considering making a strategic investment in Jawbone, which makes wireless and wearable devices, sources tell Re/code. Jawbone has also been talking to other strategic investors, and the sources caution that talks with Google are preliminary. Reference Link

BlackBerry says working with Google to enable BES12BlackBerry Limited (BBRY) announced that it is working with Google (GOOG) to enable BES12: a cross-platform EMM solution by BlackBerry to manage devices equipped with Android for Work, Google's solution to securely separate business and personal data and applications. BES12 will provide organizations with the most secure and flexible way to manage Android for Work. Android for Work smartphones and tablets will be natively managed within the BES12 environment.

Analysts clash on DreamWorks following Q4 missThe shares of animated film and television show maker DreamWorks (DWA) are rising, despite the weaker than expected results reported by the company last night. Two analysts offered very different views on the company's outlook following its results. BACKGROUND: DreamWorks last night reported a fourth quarter per share loss of ($3.08), versus analysts' consensus outlook for a ($3.01) per share loss. The company's revenue also came in below expectations. Excluding $210M in pre-tax charges associated with DreamWorks' restructuring plan, its loss was (75c) per share, the company stated. BEARISH TAKE: In a note to investors today, FBR Capital analyst Barton Crockett wrote that DreamWorks' results were "ugly," as they included $155M of write-offs on films and TV shows. However, Crockett believes that the crucial factor for the company's outlook is whether it can consistently compete with the entertainment giants, including Disney (DIS), Viacom (VIA), and Time Warner (TWX). Crockett is not convinced that DreamWorks will be able to hold its own, and he believes that its 2015 results could come in below expectations. The analyst warned that the company may have difficulty meeting its 2015 consumer products revenue guidance. DreamWorks expects its consumer products revenue to double this year, but the movie-based toy space is "very competitive" in 2015, as toys based on multiple popular children's films are set to be released, Crockett stated. Moreover, after conducting checks online, Crockett reports that there does not seem to be a great deal of interest in DreamWorks' movie "Home," which is set to be released on March 27. He kept an Underperform rating on the shares and raised his price target on the stock to $14 from $12. BULLISH TAKE: DreamWorks' results were mixed, but the results are not very important, Piper Jaffray analyst James Marsh stated. The company's guidance for its TV and consumer products businesses were solid, the analyst believes. Moreover, the company "took specific and decisive action" to avert a liquidity crunch, Marsh wrote. Specifically, DreamWorks raised $185M of capital by selling its real estate in Glendale, California and then leasing it back, and increased the size of its current credit facility to $450M from $400M, Marsh reported. The moves should "largely" eliminate investors' worries about the company's liquidity position, Marsh stated. He kept a $26 price target and Overweight rating on the stock. WHAT'S NOTABLE: On DreamWorks' earnings conference call last night, the company's CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg stated that it did not obtain more than 10% of its revenue from Netflix (NFLX) last year. However, in an SEC filing earlier this morning, DreamWorks clarified that it had obtained 14.9% of its revenue from Netflix last year. PRICE ACTION: In late morning trading, DreamWorks rose 5.6% to $22.31.

Netflix to premiere five new shows for kidsNetflix announced that it is adding five new animated and live-action comedy series to its selection of kids and family entertainment. These include Danger Mouse, planned for Spring 2016, Inspector Gadget in March 2015, Some Assembly Required in Summer 2015, Bottersnikes & Gumbles in Spring 2016 and SUPER 4, a new CGI animated series inspired by PLAYMOBIL, which makes its U.S. premiere in April exclusively on Netflix.

Netflix teams up with Judd Apatow for 'Pee-wee's Big Holiday'Netflix will premiere exclusively in all of its territories the new feature film, Pee-wee's Big Holiday, starring Paul Reubens as the beloved fun-loving hero of TV, stage and film, Pee-wee Herman. Judd Apatow and Reubens, who worked together to bring the project to fruition, will produce the film. Production is slated to begin in early 2015.

Netflix may enter Russia within two years, Hollywood Reporter saysNetflix' head of communications in Europe, Joris Evers, says the company hopes to make its entrance in Russia within the next two years, The Hollywood Reporter says. Reference Link

YouTube confirms launch of kids app Google's (GOOG, GOOGL) YouTube confirmed its launch of the YouTube Kids app, "the first Google product built from the ground up with little ones in mind," which the company said makes it safer and easier for children to find videos on topics they want to explore. The app is now available for free on Google Play and the App Store in the U.S. Reference Link

FDA authorizes 23andMe to market genetic testing for Bloom SyndromeThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday authorized for marketing Google-backed 23andMe’s Bloom Syndrome carrier test, a direct-to-consumer genetic test to determine whether a healthy person has a variant in a gene that could lead to their offspring inheriting the serious disorder. Along with this authorization, the FDA is also classifying carrier screening tests as class II. In addition, the FDA intends to exempt these devices from FDA premarket review. The agency plans to issue a notice that announces the intent to exempt these tests and that provides a 30-day period for public comment.

YouTube to release stand-alone app for kids, WSJ saysGoogle's YouTube is planning to release a smartphone and tablet app for kids featuring original episodes of television shows including "Thomas the Tank Engine" and "Sesame Street," as well as content from existing YouTube kids channels, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing a person familiar with the matter. The app -- slated for an official reveal Monday at the Kidscreen Summit -- will initially only be available for Android devices. The source said the inclusion of ads is "under discussion." Reference Link

AT&T to match Google Fiber speed, pricing in Kansas City area, KC Star saysAT&T (T) announced on Sunday that it would offer Internet service in Kansas City and several of itssuburbs, with the same speed and pricing as Internet service provided by Google's Google Fiber service in the region, according to The Kansas City Star. Reference Link